Michigan Sees Largest Decrease in Uninsured Motorists in the Nation

While the chronically-injured and related service industries continue to contest auto insurance benefit changes, today's press release confirms the original reform logic.

Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) features the study making the case that No-Fault Reform works for hundreds of thousands of people that the previous system failed.

Michigan Sees Largest Decrease in Uninsured Motorists in the Nation
Insurance Research Council study credits auto insurance reform law with helping more drivers buy insurance

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 4, 2024 

(LANSING, MICH) Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) Director Anita Fox is celebrating a recent study by the Insurance Research Council showing that Michigan experienced the largest decrease of any state in the nation in its uninsured motorist rate. Michigan’s uninsured motorist rate dropped by more than 6% between 2020 and 2022. The study credits the state’s 2019 auto insurance reform law for this decrease.

“Under the old auto insurance law, too many Michiganders had to face the financial and legal risks of driving without insurance, and the new law has made it possible for more Michiganders to protect themselves and their families with auto insurance,” said Director Fox. “In addition to increasing consumer protections and reducing the number of uninsured drivers, the new law has increased competition by encouraging new companies and affiliates to enter the Michigan market. Now is a great time to shop around for auto insurance and make sure you are getting the coverage that best meets your family’s needs and budget. If you need assistance, call DIFS at 877-999-6442, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.”

Prior to Michigan’s bipartisan auto insurance reform law, an estimated 20% of Michiganders, and 60% of Detroiters, were driving without insurance. The reform law helped more drivers obtain insurance coverage by putting into place several important consumer protections for Michigan drivers, including:

• New low-cost options and rate reductions: Under Michigan’s old law, all drivers had to buy unlimited Personal Injury Protection (PIP) medical coverage, and some drivers who could not afford this coverage took the risk of driving illegally without insurance. Drivers may now choose from six different PIP medical coverage options, ranging from unlimited coverage to the ability to opt out of coverage. In addition, the law included mandatory statewide average PIP medical rate reductions, and in approved rate filings, insurers have met or exceeded those required reductions at every PIP medical coverage level.
• Amnesty period for uninsured drivers: Contributing to that decrease, uninsured drivers were given an amnesty period where they could purchase auto insurance without being charged fees or increased premiums solely because they had previously been uninsured. More than 202,000 previously uninsured Michiganders purchased auto insurance before the amnesty period ended on January 1, 2022, including more than 83,200 who had not had coverage for 3 or more years.
• Elimination of certain non-driving factors from the rating process: The law prohibits auto insurance companies from using sex, marital status, home ownership, credit score, educational level, occupation, and zip codes in setting a driver’s auto insurance rates. This important consumer protection helped reduce rates and provided more drivers with the ability to get covered.

As a result of these important consumer protections, the Insurance Research Council study shows that more Michiganders are able to purchase insurance, enabling them to drive legally on Michigan roads.

Consumers can find tips for shopping for insurance and an insurance locator to help find licensed agents by visiting Michigan.gov/AutoInsurance. If you have questions or concerns with your insurance policy or wish to file a complaint against your agent or company, contact DIFS at 833-ASK-DIFS Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or visit Michigan.gov/DIFScomplaints.

The mission of the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services is to ensure access to safe and secure insurance and financial services fundamental for the opportunity, security, and success of Michigan residents, while fostering economic growth and sustainability in both industries. In addition, the Department provides consumer protection, outreach, and financial literacy and education services to Michigan residents. For more information, visit Michigan.gov/DIFS or follow the Department on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

https://www.michigan.gov/autoinsurance/news-landing-page/2024/01/04/michigan-sees-largest-decrease-in-uninsured-motorists-in-the-nation